Amazon SearchBox

Our Readers Rock!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The Secret Of The Magic Gourd has to be one of the first Disney movies that came across my desk that I had absolutely heard NOTHING about.. I mean nothing. Well turns out The Secret Of The Magic Gourd was actually a Hong Kong release and is pretty much unchanged other than it features a new spanky voice over so us English speaking folks.

The story is pretty unique, a very geeky kind of unself assure Raymond wishes he was the best at everything but wishes only mean so much when you not actually trying. The story opens when he is supposed to have studied for his group math test and turns out he did nothing of the sort not to mention he doesn't understand why his friends are so mad. His grandmother tells him stories about a magic gourd that will grant any wish you could have and though he doesn't believe the stories he thinks such a gourd would be the solve to all his problems.

Sometimes you really have to be careful what you wish for as Raymond actually finds the magic gourd and it grants his every wish and thought. Really think about that one.. what would happen if every time you thought to yourself "I wish... or I want..." it happened. Ugg I don't even want to think about it as I know I've wished some pretty awful things when I've been angry at times. For Raymond this becomes the reality for better or worst and his new little magic gourd, who looks a little like a cgi animated pear in sorts, follows him everywhere. In the end its up to Raymond to figure out that he doesn't need a magic gourd to get what he wants and he has to fix the problems created by his wishes.

Now lets get down to the nitty gritty... its actually a cute story and the younger crowd should love it. As an adult this is one of the first Disney movies I almost couldn't bring myself to watch. The voice over is obvious and I couldn't help to notice that their mouths were not sinking up with what they were saying and that's always been something that makes me cringe. Not to mention the CGI used to make hte gourd is very cartoonish. The storyline is interesting and engaging but it just seemed to lack something when it comes to what I expect out of Disney. Overall though its worth a watch and if your dealing with younger children they will most likely really enjoy it.